Truck Vandalized in Montauk, Sloppy Tuna Offers $5K Reward

A Montauk restaurant that fell victim to criminal mischief earlier this week announced that it is posting a $5,000 reward leading to the arrest of the person who vandalized the "tuna truck." 

Abby Monahan, the general manager at the Sloppy Tuna, said that the business' Ford pickup truck, which is parked outside of the restaurant on South Emerson Avenue, was badly damaged on Tuesday morning.

Surveillance video, she said, caught someone throwing liquid at the truck at about 4:20 am. 

"In surveillance footage, a pickup truck appears to pull up in front of the Tuna, and the suspect is seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt, throwing paint thinner all over the truck and driving away," Monahan said.

The chemical destroyed sections of the truck's blue paint where the Stoppy Tuna icon was located. The police estimated that it was more than $2,000 in damage, she said. 

Monahan filed a report with the East Hampton Town police, and they are in possession of the surveillance tapes, she said.  

The Sloppy Tuna is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for anyone who has information that leads to the arrest and conviction.

"That truck has become very iconic to our establishment. I'd say about 45 percent of our guests that come through take a pictures with the truck," she said. "We're not taking this lightly. We want to catch the person responsible." 

Monahan called vandalism a cowardly act. "Unfortunetly, the beginning of the last summer started in a similar fashion for Montauk, when the public bathrooms across the street from The Sloppy Tuna were destroyed with graffiti," she said. 

If you have any information about this incident, you may contact The Sloppy Tuna at (631) 647- 8000 or East Hampton Town police at 631-537-6863.